Pressing machine



Nov. 8, 1955 s. ROSENTHAL PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 20, 1953 BY E/CHEK W47'7'5 EDGE-ETON & M-A/EN/VY 5 0 1 N TN E ma m V Nov. 8, 1955 s. ROSENTHAL PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20, 1953 w P m was: 5::

INVENTOR. 7 /UEL POSENT ML BY PICA/E71 W4 7'75, EOGEPTON & M-A/ENNY Nov. 8, 1955 s. ROSENTHAL PRESSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 20, 1953 IN VEN TOR. SQMUEL POSEA/TL/AL BY P/CHEK M47719, ED6EE70A/ & M-A fA/NY .n l/ff/w A TUE/V676 United States Patent Ofiice 2,723,062 Patented Nov. 8, 1955 PRESSING MACHINE Samuel Rosenthal, Cleveland, Ohio Application July 20, 1953, Serial No. 368,959

Claims. (Cl. 223-73) This invention relates to improvements in garment pressing machines and particularly to machines for pressing the top portion of trousers and similar garments.

The invention disclosed herein is an improvement on my pants pressing machine disclosed and claimed in my Patents No. 2,629,524 and 2,658,649.

This machine contemplates the pressing of the upper portion of the pair of trousers by stretching the same on an expansible heated form having the general contour of the garment. The pockets and waistband of the garment represent several thicknesses of material which must be dried during the pressing'operation. Since the majority of the trouser area in contact with the heated form is of single thickness, the drying is completed for this portion of the trousers a considerable length of time before the pockets are completely dry. Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to increase the output of the machine by providing elements which apply additional heat to the areas of the garment where the cloth is of multiple thickness.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will press the garment by expanding internally of r V the garment and for stretching and removing wrinkles therefrom while heating and drying the areas which are not speedily and adequately dried by the internal heated forms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pants pressing machine having shiftable forms and heated shoes mounted on the forms for engaging the pocket portions of the trousers while the trousers are being heated and stretched by the forms.

Other objects and advantages more or less ancillary to the foregoing, and the manner in which all the various objects are realized, will appear in the following description, which considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, sets forth the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the pressing machine.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the pressing machine.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the forms with parts cut away to show details of construction of the operating mechamsm.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of theoperating mechanism for the shoes.

Fig. 5 is a top view showing the shoes extended; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the shaft retaining mechamsm.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the preferred embodiment of my invention is shown having a base and stand 10 and a pressing head 12 mounted on a beam 14 which is joined to the stand 10 to support the head 12 at a height which will afiord convenient manipulation of the garment and at a distance from the stand to provide clearance for placing the garment around the rear of the pressing head 12. The pressing head 12 constitutes a partial torso shape having the general configuration of a pair of trousers from the waistband to a point slightly beyond the crotch.

The pressing head 12 is composed of a central form 16 and outer forms 18 and 20. The central form 16 is affixed to the beam 14 by the use of bolts or other suit-' able fastenings. The outer forms 18 and 20 are disposed in contigous relationship with the side walls of the center form 16 when the forms are in the at rest position for receiving the garment to be pressed. The forms 16, 18 and 20 are generally hollow for receiving steam under pressure for heating the forms to evaporate moisture from the damp garment placed thereon.

The center form 16 has a cavity to receive the operating mechanism which carries the outer forms 18 and 20 and produces the movement thereof laterally in relation to the center form 16. Forms 18 and 20 are suspended on linkages 22 which are swingably mounted to the center form 16 at the upper ends and to the outer forms 18 and 20 at the lower ends by eye bolts 24 threaded into the outer forms 18 and 20. The linkages 22 carry the lower portion of the outer forms 18 and 20 in an arcuate path and restrain their movement in a vertical direction only.

A spring 26 has each end aflixed to one of the outer forms 18 and 20 respectively, and biases the lower portions of the outer forms 18 and 20 into contiguous relationship with the center form 16. A second spring 28 connects the upper portions of the outer forms 18 and 20 and biases the upper portions of the outer forms 18 and 20 toward the center form 16.

' An air motor 30 of the piston and cylinder type is disposed between the outer forms 18 and 20 and has one end of the cylinder and the piston rod in swiveling engagement with the outer forms. Introduction of air under pressure through the supply line 32 causes the piston to move in the cylinder, thus shifting the outer forms 18 and 20 away from each other and causing them to move laterally relative to the center form 16.

A hollow plate 34 for holding the closure portion of the trousers during the pressing operation is flexibly mounted on an arm 36 for movement toward and away from the center form 16, and is also adapted for heating in the same manner as outer forms 18 and 20. A leaf spring 38 having the usual arch is disposed between the plate 34 and the arm 36 to provide the resilience neces, sary to accommodate different thicknesses of garment material to be pressed. The pressure of the plate 34 against the closure of the trousers holds the garment against opening during the stretching operation and eliminates the necessity to operate a zipper or other closure means to maintain the shape of the garment.

The arm 36 isslidably mounted in a bracket 40 afiixed to the beam 14. Linkage 42 pivotally joined to the arm 36 and beam 14 carries the end of the arm 36 in an arcuate path as it is moved laterally on the machine. The arcuate movement produced by the linkage 42 results in a vertical movement of the plate during the clamping process, the plate moving upwardly for a short distance after the garment is engaged, thus insuring the proper position of the garment on the forms. The power cylinder assembly 44 is pivotally mounted to the beam 14 and the arm 42 and air pressure is utilized therein to actuate the arm through its path of travel toward and away from the center form 16.

A port 46 in the wall of the cylinder 44 intermediate the ends thereof furnishes communication to the end of the cylinder where the air supply line 32 is connected to the air motor 30. Air supply for the cylinder 44 is oh- I q} the trousers before separation of the forms 18 and 20 will occur; This type of operation is obtained'by the series of connections of the air lines through the cylinder 44.

A manual garment-holding plate 150 having a .thin crosssection is-tdisposed between the upper portionof the plate 34 and the center .form 16.. The plate 5.0 is rotatably mounted on the end of the beam 14 by a shaft 52 which extends laterally of the beam and has a handle-54. A coil spring 56 biases .the plate .50 away from the center form 16 when it is not in use and in preparation for the placing of a garment onthe forms.

A pair .of hollow shoes 58 .and 60 adapted for being heated by steam under pressure, have their inner walls 62 configured to :conform to the shape of. the outer wall of the :outer forms. The shoes :58 and 60 are sized and positionedto engage the pocket portion of the trousers where several thicknesses of material is found. The shoes 5.8:.and 6.0 are shiftable toward and away from the outer formsto provide for theplacing of the garment thereon and the subsequent pressure required for pressing and maximum heat transfer. In order that the shoes may uniformly engage the garment in all positions of the outer forms 18 and 20, the shoes 58 and 60 are pivotally mounted on the forms 18 audit] and are carried thereby in all .positions of the pressing head. it is noted that the size and shape of the garment cannot affect the operation of-theexternal heating shoes 58 and 60 since they are in constant relationship with the outer forms.

A pair of laterally extending brackets 64 are affixed to each of the shoes 58 and 60 and have a bore therein for receiving a vertical support sleeve .66. The sleeve is rigidly supported by a bracket 68 afiixed to the outer form 18 01'20 with which the shoe carriedthereby is associated. A shaft 70 extends through the sleeve and is rotatably carried'thereby in bushings '72 intermediate the sleeve 66 and the shaft 70. The uppermost bracket 64 is keyed to the shaft 70 by a set screw 74 threadably mounted therein and extending into a drilled recess 76 formed in the shaft 70. A slot 78 in the sleeve 66 allows the rotation of the set screw about the center of the shaft for a distance of approximately 90 of angular displacement. A collar 80 immediately below the bracket 64 is pinned to the sleeve 66 and prevents the bracket from sliding down the sleeve and holding the shoe in the predetermined vertical-position. A similar collar 82 pinned'to the lower end of the sleeve 66 holds against the lower bracket 64 on the shoe 60.

A pinion 84 is keyed on'the uppermost end of the shaft 76 and a rack 86 is slidably mounted in a track '88 for reciprocation in engagement with'the pinion 84. An air motor 9tlprovides the power for reciprocating the rack 36 and for shifting .the shoes toward and away from the outer forms. It is noted that the air motor 90 and the rack and pinion assembly is mounted on the top of the outer form and shifts therewithwhen the pressing machine is operated. The motor 90 and rack assembly associated therewith are mounted on a plate '92 which is affixed to the outer forms by a plurality of screws '94. A treadle valve (not shown) similar to valve .3 and in a similar location is provided for controlling the air supply to the air motor 90, thus allowing the operator to position the shoes "58 and 60 in pressingrelationship with the garment after the outer forms have moved to the pressing position. The air motor and drive assembly is similar for each of the outer forms 18 and 20 and function in a like manner.

A steam supply system is provided for heating the-components of the pressing machine, the steam beingsupplied through a line 94 which has a connection '96 to outer form 18 and connections ,98to the shoes 58 and 60. Aline 100 joins the outer-form 18 'and'the center form 16 and'a line 102 -joins the center form 16 and outer form 20. A return line 104'is provided for returning the condensate through a 'trap '106-to the boiler and connections from the shoes 58 and 60 are-made thereto. A steam connection 168 is also made to the plate 34 from the steam supply line 94 and a suitable return connection is made to the return line 104. By the use of steam supplied at a pressure generally used for pressing machines, the forms, Shoes, and holding plate are maintained at temperatures which quickly dry and press the portions of the garment engaged thereby.

In operation, the garment is slipped over the form until the waistband is slipped to the upper end thereof and the crotch of the garment is in engagement with the lower portion of the center form 16. With the closure portion of the garment overlapped, the holding plate 50 is held thereagainst by the manipulation of the handle 54, thus holding the garment from falling away from the form while the treadle valve 48 is operated to clamp the closure portion against the center form and to actuate the outer forms laterally to engage and stretch the garment. With the garment in place on theforms the second .treadle valve isoperatedto rotate-the shoes .into pressing and heating relationship therewith, .at. which condition the machine functions to quickly press and dry the upper portion of the garment. When :the drying .cyclehas been completed, operation of the treadle valves rotates the shoes away from the ,formstoward the rear of .the machineand allows the side forms to return to their at rest position, at which timenthe garment may be easily removed and the machine is .in condition for the application of another garment thereon. This pressing cycle returns the garment to theoriginal size, since-all portionsof the material are held .in intermediate contact with the heated form and the provisionof the heating shoe and heated plate provides additional heat for the portions of the garment where extra thicknesses of material exist. Drying time is thereby reduced to a minimum and results are more uniform since there is no damp material remaining to spoil the press applied .to'the garment.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understood that the specific terminology-isnot intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

What is. claimed is:

1. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like, comprising a heated form configured to shape the central partof the trousers and outer heated forms configured to shape the right and left .parts of the said .top portion of thetrousers, said trousers being in sub- .jacent relationshipto said-form, a fluid motor joined to each of said outer forms for shifting .said outer forms into engagement with :the trousers, and heated shoe means mounted on each of said outer forms shiftable into engagement with the pocket portion of the trousers.

2. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers .audithelike, comprising a heated form configured to shape the centralpar-t .of the trousers and outer heated forms configured to shape .the right and leftnparts of the said top portion; of the trousers, said trousers .being in subjacent relationship to said form, a fluid motor joined to each .of'saidmuterformsfor shifting said outer forms into engagement with the trousers, and a heated shoepivotally mounted'on-each ofsaid outerforms shiftable into engagement with the pocket portion-of the trousers.

3. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like, comprising a heated form configured to shape the central part of the trousers and outer heated forms configured to shape the right and left parts of the said top portion of the trousers, said trousers being in subjacent 'relationsh-ip'to'said form, a fluid'motor joined to each of said outer-forms for-shifting said outer-forms into engagement with the trousers, 'a heated shoe pivotally mounted oneach of'said =outer forms shiftable into engagement with ThE PULIketfPOI'tiOII'Qf the trousers, and a heatedplate pivotallymounted on the central form for holding and drying the closure portion of the trousers as said trousers are being pressed.

4. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like comprising a frame, a center heated form on the frame configured to shape the central part of the top portion of the trousers, and outer heated forms carried by the center form adapted to shape the right and left parts of said top portion of the trousers, motor actuated means on the frame adapted to move the outer forms laterally to tighten them against the trousers and to retract the outer forms, a heated plate pivotally mounted on the frame for holding the closure portion of the trousers against the center form as said trousers are being pressed, and heating means for supplying heat to said heated plate.

5. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like comprising a frame, a center heated form on the frame configured to shape the central part of the top portion of the trousers, and outer heated forms carried by the center form adapted to shape the right and left parts of said top portion of the trousers, motor actuated means on the frame adapted to move the outer forms laterally to tighten them against the trousers and to retract the outer forms, a heated plate means pivotally mounted on the frame for holding the closure portion of the trousers against the center form as said trousers are being pressed, and heating means for supplying heat to said heated plate.

6. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like comprising a frame, a center heated form on the frame configured to shape the central part of the top portion of the trousers, and outer heated forms carried by the center form adapted to shape the right and left parts of said top portion of the trousers, motor actuated means on the frame adapted to move the outer forms laterally to tighten them against the trousers and to retract the outer forms, a heated plate pivotally mounted on the frame for holding the closure portion of the trousers against the center form as said trousers are being pressed, and a heated shoe mounted on each outer form respectively shiftable into covering relationship with the pocket portion of the trousers.

7. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like, comprising a heated form configured to shape the central part of the trousers and outer heated forms configured to shape the right and left parts of the said top portion of the trousers, said trousers being in subjacent relationship to said form, a fluid motor joined to each of said outer forms for shifting said outer forms into engagement with the trousers, heated shoe means mounted on each of said outer forms shiftable into engagement with the pocket portion of the trousers, said shoe means including a hollow member having an inner surface complementary With the outer surface of the outer heated form with which it is associated, a vertical sleeve mounted on the central form, a shaft rotatably carried by said sleeve, said member being affixed to said shaft, a fluid motor carried by each of said outer forms, and a rack and pinion assembly connecting said motor means with said shaft whereby said shoe means is rotated toward and away from the outer form.

8. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like, comprising a heated form configured to shape the central part of the trousers and outer heated forms configured to shape the right and left parts of the said top portion of the trousers, said trousers being in subjacent relationship to said form, a fluid motor joined to each of said outer forms for shifting said outer forms into engagement with the trousers, heated shoe means mounted on each of said outer forms shiftable into engagement with the pocket portion of the trousers, said shoe means including a hollow member having an inner surface complementary with the outer surface of the outer heated form with which it is associated, bearing means mounted on the central form, a shaft rotatably carried by said bearing means, said member being affixed to said shaft, a fluid motor carried by each of said outer forms, and a rack and pinion assembly connecting said motor means with said shaft whereby said shoe means is rotated toward and away from the outer forms.

9. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like, comprising a heated form configured to shape the central part of the trousers and outer heated forms configurated to shape the right and left parts of the said top portion of the trousers, said trousers being in subjacent relationship to said form, a fluid motor joined to each of said outer forms for shifting said outer forms into engagement with the trousers, heated shoe means mounted on each of said outer forms shiftable into engagement with the pocket portion of the trousers, said shoe means including a hollow member having an inner surface complementary with the outer surface of the outer heated form with which it is associated, a vertical sleeve mounted on the central form, a shaft rotatably carried by said sleeve, said member being aflixed to said shaft, a fluid motor carried by each of said outer forms, and drive means connecting said motor means With said shaft Whereby said shoe means is rotated toward and away from the outer forms.

10. A machine for pressing the top portion of trousers and the like, comprising a heated form configured to shape the central part of the trousers and outer heated forms configured to shape the right and left parts of the said top portion of the trousers, said trousers being in subjacent relationship to said form, a fluid motor joined to each of said outer forms for shifting said outer forms into engagement with the trousers, heated shoe means mounted on each of said outer forms shiftable into engagement with the pocket portion of the trousers, said shoe means including a hollow member having an inner surface complementary with the outer surface of the outer heated form with which it is associated, bearing means mounted on the central form, a shaft rotatably carried by said bearing means, said member being aflixed to said shaft, a fluid motor carried by each of said outer forms, and drive means connecting said motor means with said shaft whereby said shoe means is rotated toward and away from the outer forms.

Rosenthal Feb. 24, 1953 Rosenthal Nov. 10, 1953 

